Verse of the Day 9/7

Through the Bible - Proverbs 13-14, 2 Corinthians 2

 

Good morning,

One of the things that I've really enjoyed about North Carolina are the flowers and the aromas of spring.  I remember mowing the lawn this past spring on a beautiful day when a light breeze carried  the smell of honeysuckle to me.  Even though I was sweating and probably (no, definitely) didn't smell so pleasant myself at the time, the aroma from this vine brought refreshment.  It lifted my spirits as I took a deep breath to draw it in.

For today's verse we'll go to 2 Corinthians 2 which is today's New Testament reading (above).

2 Corinthians 2:14-15 (Amplified Bible) But thanks be to God, Who in Christ always leads us in triumph [as trophies of Christ's victory] and through us spreads and makes evident the fragrance of the knowledge of God everywhere,

¹⁵For we are the sweet fragrance of Christ [which exhales] unto God, [discernible alike] among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing:

One of the things about the fragrance or a vine, is that it is discernable.  Once you know it, you can pick it out, you can identify the source of the aroma, even if you can't physically see it, you know that it is close by.

As yesterday's veres encouraged us to "let our light shine" today's verses encourage us to spread the "sweet fragrance of Christ".

 

 "The smell; the fragrance. The word in the New Testament is used to denote a pleasant or fragrant odor, as of incense, or aromatics; John 12:3 see Eph 5:2; Phil 4:18. There is an allusion here doubtless to the fact that in the triumphal processions fragrant odors were diffused around; flowers, diffusing a grateful smell, were scattered in the way; and on the altars of the gods incense was burned during the procession, and sacrifices offered, and the whole city was filled with the smoke of sacrifices, and with perfumes. So Paul speaks of knowledge-the knowledge of Christ. In his triumphings, the knowledge of the Redeemer was diffused abroad, like the odors which were diffused in the triumphal march of the conqueror. And that odor or savor was acceptable to God-as the fragrance of aromatics and of incense was pleasant in the triumphal procession of the returning victor. The phrase "makes manifest the savor of his knowledge," therefore, means, that the knowledge of Christ was diffused everywhere by Paul, as the grateful smell of aromatics was diffused all around the triumphing warrior and victor. The effect of Paul's conquests everywhere was to diffuse the knowledge of the Saviour-and this was acceptable and pleasant to God-though there might be many who would not avail themselves of it, and would perish; see 2 Cor 2:15. "  Barnes notes on 2 Corinthians 2:14

What aroma are you going to spread today?

 

In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV
2 Cor 2:12-3:1

 

Triumph in Christ

 

12 Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened to me by the Lord, 13 I had no rest in my spirit, because I did not find Titus my brother; but taking my leave of them, I departed for Macedonia.

 

14 Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. 15 For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. 16 To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And who is sufficient for these things? 17 For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ.   NKJV